July 6 - Tourism and conservation officials said they are currently considering an offer from a local firm to secure a destabilized rock formation in the ancient city of Petra.
Officials have been waiting for over a year to select a firm to secure the detached rock, which hovers above the 1.2-kilometre path leading to the iconic Treasury which is the main entrance and exit for all visitors to the World Heritage Site.
The technical committee tasked with securing the rock has received an offer from a local firm and is currently vetting the offer with a decision expected "soon", according to the Petra Archaeological Park (PAP).
"This kind of work is not like any other tender, there are so many technical and practical considerations, especially since it is on the main path of the site," said PAP Director Emad Hijazeen.
Some of the main concerns regarding the intervention are the safety of visitors and the affect of various materials and tools on the fragile sandstone rock, he said, noting that the request for the proposal for the project was prepared in cooperation with a local consultant and a UNESCO expert.
"This is not a normal infrastructure project," Hijazeen stressed, indicating that the government has reserved the necessary funds to conduct the intervention.
Work to anchor the rock formation was originally expected to commence in June. In lieu of a full intervention, conservationists sealed the crack surrounding the rock formation last fall.
Sheikh Zayed Palace, built in 1937, was the residence of His Highness Sheikh Zayed Bin Sultan Al Nahyan - the ruler of the Eastern Region at the time - until 1966. In 2001, it was converted into a museum and was opened to the public. The simplicity of the buildings, along with the secluded gardens and the flourishing green palm trees at the west side of the Al Ain Oasis, truly reflects the cou...
The famous Recoleta Cemetery is well worth a visit as it is the resting place of many Argentinian celebrities. It is open daily from 8am-6pm and you may even be able to catch one of the guided tours. Telephone: 4804 7040 Website: www.cementeriorecoleta.com.ar ...
The Premises is a superb exhibition theater that plays hosts to numerous exhibitions throughout the year, be it performing arts or fine arts. It is one of the most creative and contemporary looking exhibition centers in the city. Address: Civic Theatre, Loveday Street, Braamfontein Telephone: +27 (0)11 877 6800 Website: http://onair.co.za/thepremises Opening hours: Tues-Sat 1200-2000 ...
The eponymous Madam Tussaud was a French woman, born in 1761 in Strasbourg. She created her first wax sculpture in 1777; her model was Voltaire. Soon after she began touring Europe with her husband, François Tussaud, and her ever-growing collection of wax sculptures. War prevented her from returning from England in 1802, so she stayed there. In 1835 she opened up a museum...